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Aproceros leucopoda

Elm zigzag sawfly

Description

Native to Japan and China, first recorded in Europe (Hungary) in 2003, recently found in several other Central- Eastern European countries. Only females are known, this species regenerates parthenogenetically. The adults fly from April to September and lay eggs on the leaf margin. It can have up to 4 generations per year. Larvae feed from April to September. The larval feeding starts from the leaf margin and typically follows a serpentine pattern. They can even cause total defoliation. The defoliated shoots regularly refoliate, but are more sensitive to winter frost. Repeated severe damage causes branch and crown dieback. Urban trees, parks, gardens, roadside trees, elm plantations.

Symptom

Characteristic zigzag or meandering-river pattern of the leaf damage.

Tree Species: Elm

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: Yes

Present in EU: Yes

Seasonal frequency of occurrence

Seasonal frequency of occurrence